Hair Brush

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a hairbrush having a handle, a brush support screen dependent on said handle; and a plurality of bristles extending outward through said screen, wherein said screen is constructed and arranged in a substantially egg shaped geometry

INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of and claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/694,675 filed Aug. 29, 2012 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The hair styling industry is replete with numerous articles configured for specific hair styling functions. There are many variety and configuration of hairbrushes in order to provide a hair stylist or a user particular functionality. However, an aspect of hair styling has been over looked until now. A hairbrush would need bristles of varying lengths in order to properly style hair from the region of the center area of the head towards the outer section of the head, however, with varying sized bristles become cumbersome to use. The present invention has developed a configuration for a hairbrush whereby the bristles have a varying effective length and still provide a configuration for improved styling of the hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The configuration of the present invention provides a hairbrush bristle support screen constructed and arranged to provide increased efficacy in styling hair.

The present invention contemplates the following as representative improvements:

-   -   Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive         strain injuries.     -   Reduce unnecessary stress to shoulders and arms with this         ergonomically designed brush—Handle has been lengthened to allow         for less stress to the shoulders and arms and provide better         relaxation and control of the 2^(nd), 3^(rd), 4^(th), and 5^(th)         fingers with ample space for movement.     -   The thumb is a very mobile joint. This mobility gives the hand         much of its functional ability, but the mobility also makes the         thumb susceptible to injury. Thumb pain and discomfort is a         common hair stylist complaint. Any posture significantly         different from “neutral” is considered to be at risk for         musculoskeletal distress symptoms. When in use, the thumb in an         un natural position a user often feels pain at the base of the         thumb and at the wrist where various thumb tendons travel.         Prolonged hairbrush use can often cause thumb discomfort.         Holding the thumb in a very “tight” grip between the thumb and         the 1st finger over an extended period of time in an unnatural         position can cause thumb discomfort. The new thumb rest design         naturally fits the contour of the thumb and makes it easy to         manipulate the brush with less thumb fatigue. The invention has         also incorporated grip beads on the thumb rest for a better         non-slip grip and a rubber texture.     -   Rubber handle keeps a user's hand and fingers warm and a comfort         grip.     -   Skill level: The handle design is developed to enable stylists         to customize their own ergonomic preference for holding the         brush in various ways that best suit their hand size, right or         left handed, height of the stylist and approach angle to the         head.     -   The handle is ergonomically configured for a power grip, a pinch         grip, and an internal precision grip. Below are the details of         each grip.     -   Power grip: The fingers are bunched firmly around an object and         overlapped by the thumb. The handle is thick enough to separate         the fingertips from the palm. (In this situation the forearm         muscles have shortened halfway through their available range of         contraction, and they are at their most efficient, because of         the mechanics of the line of pull. There is a large area of         contact, with no spots of local high pressure to prevent         strength of grip being inhibited by discomfort. A common variant         of the power grip is having the thumb out straight along the         back of the handle. This is a power grip with a precision         component. In holding a handle firmly in this kind of grip,         movements are carried out by the powerful muscles of the         forearm, upper arm, and shoulder, and not by the fine and         delicate muscles in the palm of the hand. This grip is used when         Blow drying and pulling back on the length of the hair.     -   Pinch Grip: This grip between the thumb and the side of the         index finger is used for picking up small groups of hair. But         not for manipulating them accurately, which needs the internal         precision grip. You would roll the brush in between your fingers         after picking up the hair to switch to the internal precision         grip.     -   Internal precision grip is for precise manipulation of the         hairs. The knuckles slightly resting against the head, or the         other hand may steady the hand.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a hairbrush comprising:

a handle;

a brush support barrel having a surface screen incorporated thereon, said barrel is dependent on said handle; and a plurality of bristles extending outward through said screen;

wherein said screen is constructed and arranged in a substantially egg shaped geometry.

The hairbrush has a central longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles emanating outward from said axis.

In one embodiment, the bristles emanating outward from said axis and said bristles each have a terminal end substantially equidistant from said axis. In order to achieve this, bristle length varies to accommodate for the curvature of the barrel

The hairbrush has a conical thumbrest formed at the connecting interface of handle and barrel.

The hairbrush has an interchangeable endcap connected to one end of said barrel. The barrel, as understood has a first end configured for receiving an endcap and a second end configured for mounting the barrel onto the head of the divider rail.

One configuration of the interchangeable endcap provides a plurality of teeth about the circumferal head of the cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is separated perspective view of the components of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handle of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is perspective view of the end cap with comb rake teeth about the outer circumference of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the brush of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the brush of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the metal wrap (barrel) of the brush of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the divider of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the thumb rest of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a hand grasping the handle of the bush of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view showing interaction of a hand and thumb with the thumb rest and handle according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view showing one grip on the handle of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view of the assembled brush in an isometric view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to an improved hairbrush having a particularized configuration whereby the configuration results in an increased efficiency in the brushing action. In one embodiment, the brush of the present invention can generally be described as egg shaped.

Brush 10 is assembled of component parts including cap 12 constructed and arranged to be mounted on barrel 15. Barrel 15 is configured to mount onto rail 17. Rail 17 includes a rail shaft 18 that is constructed and arranged to receive about its thumb rest 20. Thumb rest 20 ultimately could next to handle 21.

Bristles 14 are configured to nest with in the inner cavity of barrel 15. Bristles 14 extend outward through barrel 15 through a plurality of barrel screen 16 incorporated about the circumferential surface of barrel 15.

In one embodiment, end cap 11 has incorporated there on a plurality of cap teeth 12. Cap 11 is configured with a male Mt.

13 constructed and arranged to interact with a female mount on barrel 15. The male-female connection of 11 to barrel 15 is any one of screw fit, snap fit, and the like.

Barrel 15 is configured two connect on to rail 17 at rail cap 19. Handle 21 has a mounting and 23 constructed and arranged for attachment with thumb rest 20. Handle 21 is configured with a hollow interior providing a receiving cavity for rail shaft 18 therein. Handle 21 has disposed about its circumference on the outer surface grip 22. Handle 21 is further configured with a handle terminal and 24

In one embodiment, the barrel screen 16 is configured to form a cylindrical shape with tapered end portions. The amount of taper, in one embodiment, is the same on each end. In another embodiment, the amount of taper differs on either end.

As generally understood the shape of an egg is approximately half of each prolate (long) and is a roughly spherical (potentially even slightly oblate/short) ellipsoid joined at the equator, sharing a principal axis of rotational symmetry, as illustrated above. Although the term egg-shaped usually implies a lack of reflection symmetry across the equatorial plane, it may also refer to true prolate ellipsoids. It can also be used to describe the 2-dimensional figure that, revolved around its major axis, produces the 3-dimensional surface.

The egg shape configuration of barrel 15 provides a user increased efficiency in providing bristles 14 to contact hair roots of those hairs substantially towards the center of the scalp.

The configuration further provides variations in diameter whereby sides are smaller than the middle and when the bristles of the brush contact the hair the hair will be subjected to increased force which will result in a tighter curl on the outside edges compared the to the middle portion of the head. It has been discovered that brushes of this configuration will result in an ability to curl hair such that the curl has an increased duration, i.e., the curl will last longer than brushes conventionally used.

When the brush 10 of the present invention is used in conjunction with a blow dryer as is commonly known in the art there is a tight curl on the outside and a large curl on the inside of the same section. Brush bristles 14 extend generally outward from the center of the brush. The bristles 14 protrude through a curved surface of barrel 15 whereby said curved surface has the substantial egg shape. This provides bristles 14 of varying lengths relative to the outer surface. However, it is generally understood that the bristles terminate in a substantially linear fashion relative to the absolute center of the brush. Egg shape allows the hair around to curl titer especially around the edges where the diameter is smaller then the middle.

Additionally, the brush 10 is constructed and arranged with interchangeable caps on either end of the barrel. These caps are integral in their configuration as they assist in various aspects of brush usage. One cap 11 has comb (rake) teeth 12 on it while the other cap has a smooth surface. The comb cap is used for parting the hair.

The caps keep a section of hair in contact with the bristles. Brushes without caps such as these can have sections of hair exit prematurely off either or both peripheral edges of the bristle section. In maintaining hair on the bristles, there is a greater efficacy in in styling and blow-drying hair. The styling and blow-drying is typically done in sections and the cap configuration provides a physical and visual aid in maintaining sections during these operations.

The cap 11 is further configured as a hair-parting device. Conventionally, a brush is changed for a comb or other implement when forming a hair part. The cap 11 of the present invention eliminates the need for such changes by allowing the leading edge to be used to form a part. One cap (FIG. 3) has comb teeth for separating the hair like a comb, by pivoting the brush it separates the volume of hair in a precise manner. It allows friction between the cap and the scalp that results in easier parting for both professionals and home use.

As seen in FIG. 8 thumbrest 20, in one embodiment, is coated with a satin rubber finish for grip. Additionally, thumb rest has a plurality of indentations that provide for improved grasping by a user. The thumb rest configuration naturally fits the contour of the thumb and makes it easy to manipulate the brush with less thumb fatigue. In one embodiment, the invention has incorporated grip beads on the thumbrest for a better non-slip grip and a rubber texture.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A hairbrush comprising: a handle; a brush support barrel having a surface screen incorporated thereon, said barrel is dependent on said handle; and a plurality of bristles extending outward through said screen; wherein said screen is constructed and arranged in a substantially egg shaped geometry.
 2. The hairbrush of claim 1 having a central longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles emanating outward from said axis.
 3. The hairbrush of claim 1 having a central longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles emanating outward from said axis and said bristles each having a terminal end substantially equidistant from said axis.
 4. The hairbrush of claim 1 having a conical thumbrest formed at a connecting interface of said handle and barrel.
 5. The hairbrush of claim 1 having an interchangeable endcap connected to one end of said barrel.
 6. The hairbrush of claim 1 having an interchangeable endcap connected to one end of said barrel whereby said endcap has a plurality of teeth about said cap. 